ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS admitted he decided not to substitute Hugo Lloris, even though the keeper was knocked unconscious during Tottenham’s stalemate with Everton.

Lloris needed prolonged treatment after a 78th-minute clash with Romelu Lukaku in which his head was caught by the knee of the Everton striker, who was booked.

Lloris looked set to depart on a stretcher before regaining his senses and then appeared to argue with Tottenham’s medical staff.

But Tottenham boss Villas-Boas said he ultimately made the decision to keep on Lloris, who then made a smart save from Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu.

“He doesn’t remember it so he lost consciousness ,” he said . “He seemed assertive, determined to continue and showed great character.

“The call always belongs to me. Brad Friedel was ready to come on but there were enough signs for Hugo to continue. I made the call to keep him on. The saves he made proved that right.”

Hugo Lloris lies injured on the pitch as his team mates call for assistance [GETTY]

He seemed assertive, determined to continue and showed great character

Andre Villas-Boas

Captain Michael Dawson appeared to try to persuade Lloris to go off and said: “He took a bad whack and when he got up his legs gave way, but he stayed on and made two good saves. He’s a little dazed but he’s a lot better.”

The game had few chances and prompted Villas-Boas to defend his shot-shy side, who have managed just nine goals in 10 league games. Only Hull in the top half of the table have scored less than Spurs.

“I don’t think it is very dramatic,” he said . “We are the team who creates the most chances in the league.”

“I think Seamus gets impeded,” said Martinez. “The only thing is he doesn’t overreact. He doesn’t look for the penalty, he just gets back on his feet, and that probably allowed the referee to not have to make a decision.”